Tally device



Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to novel improvements in devices of the type whereby a summation of numerical units may be visibly exhibited by mechanical means, manually operable.

More specifically, the invention pertains to a novel and compact device incorporating manually operable means whereby any sum or total, ranging in value from to 9999 may be quickly and accurately exhibited.

I am aware that prior to this invention, game counters and mechanical scorers have been patented. Each of them however, is `designed to meet the specific scoring requirements of a particular game, principally a card game, such as whist, bridge, and so on.

Except for the particular game for which they are especially designed, these devices have little or no utility.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device which may be employed in score-keeping of any and all games, whether of the playing card variety or otherwise.

A further object is to provide a device which has general utility entirely unrelated to games of amusement, and the like. That is to say, the numerical range of the present device is such that each and every total from 1 to 9999 may be quickly and easily registered thereon, so that its uses for addition, subtraction, or multiplication, are unlimited, as will appear.

In a general summary, the invention may be said to comprise a device preferably of plastic, the predomina-nt elements of which are oi two contrasting colors. it thus includes a rectangular block or base member, and top and bottom cover plates therefor of one color. and in the embodiment illustrated, twenty indicator or kev members of another color. The key members are positioned either singh7 or in groups of four. The numerical value of the individually mounted keys, and the numerical value of one of each of the keys mounted in groups is visibly indicated thereon in a color contrasting to that of the keys themselves, preferable in a color corresponding to that 0f the base block and covers aforesaid. One half ci said key members is rotatably mounted on first stationary and longitudinally extending rod, and the other half of said keys on a second similar rod. Novel resilient spring means are provided for said key members in order to selectively maintain each of them in either a horizontal, or a vertical position.

Features and advantages inherent in the invention which have not thus far been specifically designated, should be apparent from the followk the purpose of which will appear.

ing description given in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment thereof.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device comprising the present invention, all of the indicating key members being disposed in a horizontal plane, which is the position each of them occupies when the device is not in use;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with three of the indieating key members disposed in a vertical plane to indicate visibly a certain total;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line i--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the spring element associated with each of the four singly mounted indicator keys;

Fig. '7 is a similar view of the spring element associated with each of the four banks or groups of such keys;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the base member per se.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the device comprising the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral I2. It includes a rectangular base member or block I4, a top cover plate l5, and a bottom cover plate l 8. Preferably, but not necessarily, these three components are of plastic material, and of the same color, for example black or dark red.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 8, the block i4 includes a left side wall portion 2li, a right side Wall portion 22, end wall portions 2li and 26, and a longitudinally extending central wall portion 28, all integrally formed.

To the left of the longitudinal centerline thereof, the block I4 has formed therein a first opening 30, a second opening 32, a third opening 3K5, and a fourth opening 3E. To the right of said centerline, the block has also formed therein a similar series of openings 38, 49, 42, and 44.

Coextensive longitudinally with each of the openings aforesaid, the central Wall portion 28 is dished out as at 4B to provide an arcuate cavity,

Also, coextensive longitudinally with each of the openings aforesaid, the side walls 29 and 22 are beveled as at 48. and are notched as at 49.

As seen to best advantage in Fig. 8, the block I4 has formed therein two longitudinal series of alined apertures 52, each series being equidistant from the centerline. The apertures 52 are disposed in a plane which may be said to be substantially flush with the upper surface of said block.

The peripheral conguration of the top and bottom cover plates I6 and i8 is identical with that of the base block Ill, as shown. The plate I8 is a solid member, but plate I6 is provided with notches 54 to the left and to the right of its longitudinal centerline in such manner, that said notches are in registry with the openings 38, 32, and so on, in the base block.

Coextensive longitudinally with each of the notches aforesaid, the cover member I6 is dished out as at 5B to form a continuation of the arcuate cavity 46 adjacent thereto, as shown in Fig. Ll.

As previously indicated, the embodiment of the invention illustrated includes twenty indicator or key members, arranged alternately singly, and in groups of four. The keys are preferably, but not necessarily, of plastic material, the color of which is in sharp contrast to that of the block member I4 and its cover plates.

In the assembled device, there are four keys positioned Within the opening 3c. These four keys, which are designated by numeral 58, each has a value of one unit as visibly indicated on one of them.

A single key 5s is positioned within opening 32, its value of ve units being visibly indicated thereon. A group of four keys lil is positioned Within the opening 34. Each of them has a value of ten units as visibly indicated on one of them. Positioned in the opening 35, is a single key 62 having a value oi-` fty units, as indicated thereon.

The ten keys thus far referred to are alined to the left of the longitudinal centerline of the device I2, and the total value of them amounts to ninety-nine units.

There is a group of four keys 63 positioned Within the opening 38. Each of these, as visibly indicated on one of them, has a Value of one hundred units.

Within the opening 4G is a key 64 havingr a value of iive hundred units indicated thereon. A group of four keys 66, each having a value of one thousand units as indicated on one of them, is positioned within the opening 112.

A single key 68, having a value of ve thousand units visibly appearing thereon, is positioned Within the opening 44.

The last-named ten keys are alined to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the device I2, and the total value of them amounts to nine thousand nine hundred units.

The configuration of each of the tabulation keys should be manifest from an inspection of l. and 4, wherein it is seen that each of them is of substantially triangular contour in vertical vcross-section. The normally unexposed face Bil of each key is bevelled on an angle corresponding to that of the bevelled portions 48 of the side walls 2!! and 22, as particularly shown in Fig. 4.

Each oi said keys also includes a iiat face 1I, a slightly rounded corner portion l2, and a horizontal aperture lll. Passing through each aperture 'I4 oi the ten leit hand keys, and also through each or the left series of apertures 52 of the block. I4, is a pivot rod 16, pressfitted at either end in the walls 24 and 26. Passing through each aperture 'I4 of the ten right hand keys, and also through each oi the right series of apertures 52 of block i4, is a pivot rod 11, also pressiitted at either end in the walls 24 and 26.

With particular reference now to Fig. 6, there is shown in top plan, a resilient member 'I8 of CFI spring metal, which includes a horizontal base portion 79 and a normally upwardly inclined reversely bent integral portion 8|. Incorporated in the device I2, are four members 18, one being positioned in each of the openings 32, 36, 40, and 114, the edge portion 82 of each of said members being adapted to enter and to be permanently retained within one of the notches 4S with the cooperation of the bottom plate I8, as portrayed in Fig. el.

With particular reference now to Fig. 7, there is shown in top plan, a resilient member 84 of spring metal, which includes a horizontal base portion Sii and four normally upwardly inclined reversely bent integral portions 88.

Incorporated in said device l2, are four of the members 84, one being positioned in each of the openings 34, 38, and 42, the edge portions 89 oi each ci said members being adapted to enter and to be permanently retained within a notch with the cooperation of the bottom plate I8.

.Normally, one of the upwardly inclined free portions 8l or of the said spring members bears against the beveled face 68 of one of said keys, as portrayed in Fig. 4 on the left, so as to bias such key into a position wherein said face portion engages the correspondingly beveled upper edge fili of a side wall 2i! or 22.

From the foregoing description, and in View of l and 5, it should be apparent that when the device is not in use, the exposed upper sur laces of the twenty keys are flush with the upper surface of the top plate I6. Further, that the preferably rounded free extremities SI of said keys project laterally a slight distance beyond the side Walls 29 and 22, so that each of them may be manually flipped with ease from a horizontal to a vertical position.

It is not deemed necessary to recite the mannor in which the device is assembled. However, it is noted that the contiguous surfaces of the top plate It, the block Ill, and the bottom plate I 8 are permanently bonded together, preferable by means or a suitable cementitious agent.

In use, the device may be easily and quickly manipulated to visibly register any total up to nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine, as heretofore stated. Said total would be indicated with all twenty keys in a vertical position.

Assuming that it is desirable to register a. total of one hundred and fifty, one of the keys E3 and key 32 are ilipped from their normally horizontal to a vertical position, it being understood that the other eighteen keys are maintained in normal, that is to say, non-registrat-ing position, by the action of the resilient members 18 and 84.

Assuming that the device is employed to keep the score of a football team, and further that a touchdown has been made, the key 59 and one of the keys 5S are dipped to a vertical position, thus indicating score of six points. Should a conversion follow, another key 58 is flipped into a vertical position, thus indicating a total of seven points, and so on.

in a game ci cards, for example in pinochle, each playel1 can tabulate his Score as the game progresses. Assuming that the player obtaining the bid has a lneld oi three hundred pinochle to gether with twenty in diamonds, three of the keys 5t, and two of the keys 6| are elevated to exhibit a total or three hundred and twenty points.

Assuming further, that in t-he play of the cards, said bidder obtains tricks having a total value of one hundred and thirty points, the remaining key 63 is elevated, the two previously elevated keys 6l are flipped to normal position, and the key 62 is flipped into perpendicular position. Thus a total score of four hundred and fifty points is in evidence.

Assuming that in the course of the following deal, the same player obtains the bid at one hundred and eighty with no meld, and because of failure to accumulate the necessary points in tricks, he is set as is understood, one hundred and eighty points are to be deducted from his previous total, so that his visibly presented score now amounts to two hundred and seventy points. This score is quickly presented by the depression of two keys 63, and the elevation of two keys 6l, key 54 being allowed to remain in status quo, likewise the other two keys 83.

The appearance of the device i2, when certain of its keys have been manipulated to indicate a total of live hundred and fifteen points, or units as the case may be, is depicted in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The three keys are perpendicularly disposed to exhibit said total, they being key 64, one of the keys 6I, and key 59. Obviously, if one of the keys `58 be now elevated, the indicated total would be live hundred and sixteen, and if thereafter key 68 be elevated, the indicated total would be live thousand, live hundred and sixteen, and

so on.

It should therefore be apparent that the instant invention comprises a novel device which may be utilized for numerous purposes beside those specicallyset forth above.

In other words, the device may be used to tabulate, within its range, any information desired relative to for example, the number of restaurant patrons who ordered a certain entree after the supply had been exhausted; the number of servings obtained from a beverage container marked with a specilied contents volume; the number of spectators who leave a theatre before the linal act; the number of responses by telephone to an advertisement appearing in a newspaper; and

so on.

Obviously, modilications in the precise details of construction illustrated and described may be had without departing from the principles of the invention.

For example, instead of bonding the members I4, I6, and I8 with cement, these may be secured together by screws at the corners, or otherwise. Also, the central wall 28 may be separately formed, or formed integrally with either the top or bottom cover, and so on.

What I claim is:

A device for visibly indicating by manually operable mechanical means a selected numerical total ranging from 0 to 9999, said device comprising in combination: a base member of rectangular peripheral conguration including a pair of side wall portions, a pair of end wall portions, and a longitudinally extending central wall portion; a rst group of openings comprising a rst opening adapted to accommodate a group of foul` key members each having a value of one unit. a second opening adapted to accommodate a single key member having a value of ve units, a third opening adapted to accommodate a group of four key members each having a value of ten units, and a fourth opening adapted to accommodate a single key member having a value of lty units, all four of said openings being in alinement and provided in said base on one side of the longitudinal centerline of the device; a second group of openings comprising a lirst opening adapted to accommodate a group of four key members each having a value of one hundred units, a second opening adapted to accommodate a single `key member having a value of live hundred units, a third opening adapt-ed to accommodate a group of four key members each having a value of one thousand units, and a fourth opening'adapted to accommodate a single key member having a value of five thousand units, all four of said openings being in alinement and provided in said base on the other side of the longitudinal centerline of the device; a longitudinal rod passing through alined apertures insaid base member and through an aperture in each of the key members on one side of said longitudinal centerline; a longitudinal rod passing through alined apertures in said base member and through an aperture in each of the key members on the other side of said longitudinal centerline; a top cover plate provided with alined notches on either side of said centerline corresponding with the openings in said base; a flat rectangular bottom cover plate; an arcuate cavity formed in said central wall coextensive with and in alinement with each alined opening and notch respectively of the base member and top cover member; a plurality of resilient metallic members each including a xed flat base portion and at least one free normally upwardly biased reversely bent portion for selectively maintaining each key member in either a horizontal or a perpendicular position; and recesses formed in the bottom faces of said side wall portions to receive the extremities of said lixed base portions of the resilient members whereby in cooperation with said bottom cover plate said resilient members are retained in position.

MIKE KIRTOGIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,375 Horton July 3, 1883 478,694 Foster July 14, 1892 481,947 Hillard Sept. 6, 1892 2,019,887 Bostwick NOV. 5, 1935 2,475,695 Gastner July 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,973 Great Britain 1899 

